Burbank, CA Short-Term Rentals: Short-Term Rental Permits (2026)
Short-term rental permit rules in Burbank, CA, also called Airbnb permits, vacation rental licenses, or STR registration, list the application steps, fees, and operating requirements for hosting.
Key Facts
- STR Status
- Prohibited (classified as Hotel/Motel use)
- Code Section
- BMC 10-1-203, 10-1-602, 10-1-627
- City Permit
- None available
- 2021 Proposal
- 600-license program; not adopted
- Enforcement
- Code Enforcement (818) 238-5225
Summary
Burbank prohibits short-term rentals. The City's Zoning Code defines 'Hotel' and 'Motel' to include short term rentals and vacation rentals, and 'Hotel uses of any kind are not permitted in residential zones.' There is no City short-term rental permit available; a 2021 Planning Board proposal to license up to 600 STRs was not adopted.
HOTEL: Means a commercial establishment or private residence (all or part) that provides guests with overnight accommodations, that do not exceed 30 days, in exchange for monetary compensation, and that do not otherwise meet the single common household component of the definition of "Family". Commercial areas, meeting areas, dining areas, and other guest facilities that are open to both patrons and the general public may be included. Individual guest rooms may include limited cooking facilities, such as a microwave or mini-fridge, but not a full kitchen. Hotel uses include bed and breakfasts, short term rentals, and vacation rentals. Hotel uses of any kind are not permitted in residential zones. MOTEL: ... Motel uses include bed and breakfasts, short term rentals, and vacation rentals. Motel uses of any kind are not permitted in residential zones.
Full Breakdown
The City of Burbank treats short-term rentals (stays of less than 30 consecutive days) as a Hotel/Motel use that is prohibited in all residential zones. The Burbank Zoning Code ordinance amending Sections 10-1-203, 10-1-602, and 10-1-627 defines HOTEL and MOTEL to mean 'a commercial establishment or private residence (all or part) that provides guests with overnight accommodations, that do not exceed 30 days, in exchange for monetary compensation,' and expressly states that 'Hotel uses include bed and breakfasts, short term rentals, and vacation rentals. Hotel uses of any kind are not permitted in residential zones' (same language applies to Motel uses).
' On August 23, 2021 the Burbank Planning Board considered a proposed Article 28 (Title 3, Chapter 4) that would have allowed STRs in R-1, R-1-H, R-2, R-3, and R-4 zones under a business license capped at 600 citywide, limited to a host's primary residence for a maximum of 120 days per year; that licensing program was not adopted, and STRs remain prohibited. Because no STR permit program exists, there is no City application, registration, or zone-clearance pathway to operate a short-term rental lawfully.
Violations & Fines
Operating or advertising a short-term rental is operating a prohibited Hotel/Motel use in a residential zone, enforceable by the Building and Safety Division - Code Enforcement (818-238-5225) as a zoning violation, subject to administrative citation and abatement under the Burbank Municipal Code.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I legally run an Airbnb in Burbank?
Didn't Burbank consider allowing short-term rentals?
What counts as a short-term rental in Burbank?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Burbank
How Burbank compares: Most Airbnb-Friendly Cities in America·California rules heatmap·Compare Burbank to another location·View the California short-term rentals overview
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Short-Term Rental Permits in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Los Angeles County handle short-term rental permits.